Radware, a leading provider of application delivery and application security solutions for virtual and cloud data centers, releases five top network security predictions for 2014. Its Emergency Response Team (ERT), which continuously monitors new and emerging network attacks and implements mitigation tactics in real-time, runs through in-depth analysis of various attack methods as well as successful defense techniques against these methods.
One of the more critical security concerns includes the risk of infrastructure outages in utilities companies, which can give rise to major service catastrophes around the world. Telecom Operators will also be prone to these, especially with the adoption of the software defined networking (SDN), which, though is a much awaited and promising technology to drive down costs and improve network efficiency, opens up to some unique security vulnerabilities such as disruption to control-plane communications. The SDN controller which takes over the traditional network devices which operated autonomously, becomes accessible to a variety of invasions, opening up new and greater risks to the service provider. Radware also predicts the rise in cyber-hostage incidents, where nefarious groups will take digital assets or services as hostage and commandeer these services until certain demands are met, financial and beyond.
Governments around the globe are expected to adopt new cyber attack laws, including nationalistic rules, to start dictating network traffic flows, security levels at critical infrastructure companies, and acceptable data processing domiciles, as well as provide rules on what constitutes as acceptable Internet behavior.
“2013 was the year of hackers, hacktivists and cyber warriors. Not only will current threats continue to evolve, but new and advancing technologies like SDN and cloud computing pose new threats to businesses of all type and sizes,” said Motty Alon, Director of Security Solutions at Radware, “Radware’s ERT has closely examined the evolution of cyber attacks and security threats in the last year, and through intense investigation, has found that 2014 will be an even more brutal year for security. This is a wake up call for the enterprise to place a higher priority on proactive network technology strategy.”
"The advancement and level of sophistication of recent cyber attacks indicate a critical need for IT to invest in network security solutions – including resources, training and technology,” added Alon. “To best prepare for attacks, businesses should utilize the most up-to-date and properly configured devices and carefully plan the position of mitigation within the network architecture. Additionally, organizations should examine its abilities to withstand prolonged, sophisticated attacks, estimate the resources required to thwart or mitigate such attacks, and search for additional competencies externally – from security experts, vertical alliances, or governmental services. By following best practices, organizations will have a significantly better chance of withstanding anticipated cyber threats in the new year.”
